journey beyond the boat: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving - a distinctly American holiday. There are many "harvest festivals" in various countries that have been celebrated over the years, and Canada actually has a similar Thanksgiving celebration in October, but the origins of the first American Thanksgiving are unique. The first Thanksgiving was a feast in 1621 with the Pilgrims and the Native Americans - a time to celebrate and thank God for the provision of food for the Pilgrims through the help of the Native Americans. They would not have survived that first year, if the Native Americans had not stepped in and taught them how to farm and fish in their new surroundings.

As I paused at the beginning of ward rounds yesterday and explained to the Kenyan residents about our American Thanksgiving (I didn't talk about football, because I didn't think it would make sense - but you and I understand!), I realized two things. Shared backgrounds really are a bond between people because, although they listened politely, they just don't have the same frame of reference. The second thing I realized is that in this new land that we have come to, we have also needed a lot of help and instruction from the people already here (both Kenyans and missionaries) in order to adjust and thrive. Going to a new culture and land is difficult, and you have to be ready to ask for and accept help and advice - we are thankful for all the new friendships and help as we have acclimated to Kenya and Kijabe! We are also so very thankful for our friends and family back home who sustain us with encouragement and prayers. :)

So, did we celebrate Thanksgiving here? Yes! It was a school day for the kids and I worked, but we had a huge potluck dinner with the pediatric department/peds surg/neurosurg/ortho in the evening. Everyone brought their favorite foods, and it was delightful to have the traditional American foods, but many with a twist that we hadn't had before. We brought an apple pie, homemade rolls, and broccoli casserole. Our kids wanted the broccoli casserole, which was so amusing - they didn't love it in the US, but they insisted on having it here! Do you know that the recipe specifies that you must use frozen, not fresh broccoli? Well, I just finely chopped it and boiled it and - voila! - "frozen" broccoli. ha!

Broccoli casserole

Ted's partially filled plate

Our Thanksgiving celebration! :)

I heard on the radio a few years ago that the average American eats 7000 calories on Thanksgiving Day - wow! That is a lot of food! Here are some more animal photos, all depicting them eating...